Sports and Outdoor
Calgary is a very active city with the average age of a Calgarian only 34 years. Downtown Calgary is blessed with amazing parks situated throughout it. The most prevalent being Prince's Island Park. Prince's Island was named after Peter Anthony Prince, a lumberman from Quebec who came to Calgary in 1886 and founded the Eau Claire Lumber Mill. The Eau Claire and Bow River Lumber Company dug a channel (now the lagoon) to get logs from Kananaskis closer to the Calgary sawmill, resulting in an island.
In 1889, Prince formed the Calgary Water Power Company to supply electric streetlights to the town. Despite its name, the company used steam generators powered by sawdust until 1893 when Prince built Calgary's first hydro-electric plant near the east end of the lagoon. After his death in 1925 the mill was still operational until 1944. The City purchased the land from the remaining Prince family in 1947 for development of parkland.
Today, Prince's Island Park connects the neighbouring communities of the North and West to the downtown area through our exceptional pathway systems along the Bow River. During the summer months this park becomes a favourite running and boot camp fitness destination.
Eau Claire Festival Plaza and market is the common staging area for many runs and walks throughout the year.
Want to get more active? Running clubs are being held at the Running Room in Eau Claire and SportChek on Stephen Avenue Walk. Plus there is multitude of programs out of the YMCA Eau Claire.
Find more info on Calgary's extensive system of pathways and bikeways here.
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read stories about sports and outdoor events on our blog
view event calendar for upcoming sports and outdoor events
